Highlight of today: Simply arriving in China!

➤ Arrival Beijing - Transfer to your hotel and meet your guide:

➤ Itinerary: We will be greeting your family at the airport from where you will be transferred by private car or minibus and your English speaking guide to the hotel. The approximately 1 hour journey to your hotel is a perfect opportunity to ask the guide any initial questions you might have. The guide will provide assisstance with checking in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax from the long flight or start to explore the city with the help of your personalised Trip Guidebook we send you before the trip. The area around your hotel is perfect for an introductory walk to soak up the local atmosphere or you can just relax in the hotels safe and secure grounds. We tend to find that by the end of the day any concerns you may have had about China not being child friendly have been dispelled!

➤ Overnight at the Bamboo Garden Hotel 4*. Built in the Chinese traditional style this long time favourite is located in lovely grounds in a quiet Hutong area near the popular Ho Hai Lake.

➤ Meals included: None.

 Highlight of today: Forbidden City & Lao She Theatre

➤ Beijing - Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and Lao She Theatre:

➤ Itinerary: After breakfast at your hotel we head to one of our favourite places in Beijing - the Temple of Heaven. The temple itself is small by Chinese standards but proves that size doesn’t matter as this building is considered by many (including us) to be the most beautiful building in China. Perfectly symmetrical it was constructed at the same time as the Forbidden City and its primary purpose was as a prayer hall the Emperors visited to ask for good harvests. What makes the Temple of Heaven really special is that it is set inside a vast park which is a centre for a wide range of cultural activities. Here you will see - and be able to participate in if you wish - kite flying, Tai Chi, various styles of dancing, all manner of martial arts, water calligraphy and a range of sports peculiar to China. In short, there is something for everyone.

Later in the morning we move on to Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world. The square is home to the Mao Mausoleum and monument to the People’s Heroes and is flanked by the Great Hall of the People (China’s parliament building) and the National Museum of China both built in the early 1960’s with help from the Soviet Union which shows in the architecture. For the morbid it is sometimes possible to go inside the Mao Mausoleum to see the Chairman himself.

To the north of the square is the equally vast palace complex of the Forbidden City reached by passing under the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen in Chinese). Built from 1406 to 1420 by up to 1 million workers it contains 980 buildings with 8,707 rooms (you can keep the kids busy by asking them to check this figure!) and was the former home of the Emperors and their court. We’ll walk up the middle axis from South to North taking in the splendour of the most important central buildings before finishing in the relatively small garden by the north gate.

We round off the day in Jingshan park just north of the Forbidden City. This lovely park has a large artificial hill which has fantastic views over Beijing and particularly the Forbidden City on a good day. A fun evening of entertainment awaits you at the Lao She Teahouse where you will enjoy an atmospheric  performance that includes a fast mixture of Peking Opera, Acrobatics, Martial Arts, Cross Talk, Music and Shadow Puppetry - there is something for everyone here and in a classic relaxed and informal tea house environment. After the show you will be transferred back to your hotel.

➤ Overnight at the Bamboo Garden Hotel 4*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

 Highlight of today: The Great Wall of China

➤ Beijing - Great Wall at Mutianyu (optional Tobogganing) and the Ming Tombs:

➤ Itinerary: Today we will be showing you one of China’s most famous sights - the Great Wall. At over 4,000 miles long there is a lot of Wall to see but we will be taking you to one of the better and less touristed sections at Mutianyu 70km from Beijing. The drive to the wall averages 2 hours and will take you from your hotel in the centre of Beijing through the rapidly expanding suburbs and on into the beautiful mountainous countryside to the north east of the city. The Mutianyu section dates back to the 6th century but was largely rebuilt in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the best preserved sections of the wall largely due to the high standard of construction. The views from on top of the wall are spectacular and helped by Mutianyu having a high density of watchtowers which give a good idea of the scale of this section as it passes over the mountain ridges.

There is the option to walk up to the Wall or take a cable car (you can decide locally). They say you are not a man until you have walked on the wall but perhaps the true test for the brave comes with the option to slide down from the wall on a year round Toboggan (again, something you can decide locally).

On the way back to Beijing we will stop at the Ming Tombs, the burial place of 13 Ming Dynasty Emperors between 1368 to 1644AD some of whom oversaw the construction the Great Wall section you saw earlier today. The tombs are approached along the Sacred Way lined with giant marble figures and animals who guard the tomb area. Budding Indiana Jones’s will enjoy entering one of the tombs although they have long since been raided! After you will be driven back to your hotel with the evening free to recover from the day’s exertions.

➤ Overnight at the Bamboo Garden Hotel 4*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

 Highlight of today: Hutong Rickshaw adventure

➤ Beijing - 2008 Olympic venues, ancient Hutongs by Rickshaw and the Summer Palace:

➤ Itinerary: A day of contrasts awaits you starting in the morning with a brief visit to two contemporary icons of modern Beijing, the 2008 Olympic sites of the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the aquatics centre known as the Water Cube. Both are located in the vast Olympic Green to the north of the city. The stadium is an architectural wonder best seen from the outside and close up so you can appreciate its vast steel lattice work - all 110,000 tons of it! It is an awe inspiring design. Next to the stadium is the “Water Cube” aquatics centre with its unusual bubble like cladding. Much of the centre has now been turned over to use as a water park. If there is time it is possible to sometimes go inside depending on the event schedule (entrance fees would be paid locally if you chose to do this).

Old Beijing takes precedence next as you step back in time with a trip by rickshaw around some of Beijing’s ancient residential Hutongs - the heart and soul of the city. The term "hutongs" original meaning is "water wells", and appeared during the Yuan Dynasty when the Mongolians ran China. Later in the Ming Dynasty (early 15th century) the center of the city was the Forbidden City and this was surrounded in concentric circles by the Inner City and Outer City. Citizens of higher social status lived closer to the center and aristocrats lived to the east and west of the imperial palace. Today the Hutongs are preserved in the centre of Beijing and provide a fascinating insight into traditional Chinese city life. By far the best way to navigate the narrow lanes and alleys is by cycle rickshaw (you can even have a go cycling yourself if you wish!) You will also get visit a traditional courtyard building which make up the Hutongs with one or more families per courtyard and this is here you will have lunch.

The last stop today is at the Summer Palace to the west of Beijing built in 1750 by Emperor Qianlong. It is dominated by the Kunming lake which was hand dug. The lake is dotted with peaceful pavilions and gardens and is as popular escape from the city for todays Beijingers as it was for the Imperial court. The trip here will include a boat trip on the lake.

After the tour a transfer to the station for an overnight train onto your next destination of Luoyang.

➤ Overnight on board a sleeper train to Luoyang.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

 Highlight of today: Shaolin Monastery complex

➤ Arrival in Luoyang - Transfer to your hotel - full day tour to the Shaolin Monastery:

➤ Itinerary: Early morning arrival in Luoyang where your guide will be waiting for you at the station. You’ll be taken to your hotel with time to have some breakfast and check-in if a room is available.

After breakfast you leave the city for a full day tour up into the Song Mountains to the Shaolin Monastery Temple complex, famous the world over for the practice and teaching of martial arts. The Monastery was founded in AD 497 to teach the Mahayana branch of Buddhism. Since then the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. You are likely to see many pupils under martial arts instruction and the area around the monastery has many such schools. You will also see a short martial arts show before having your own 2 hour long beginners instruction in Kung Fu before visiting the extensive main temple complex.

One of the highlights of any visit is the recent UNESCO recognised Pagoda Forest, a cemetery of 246 pagodas which contain the ashes of prominent monks. You will have plenty of time to wander around with your guide before the two hour trip back to Luoyang to overnight.

➤ Overnight at the Peony Plaza Hotel 4*. Large modern hotel with good standard rooms and a revolving restaurant on the roof.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

 Highlight of today: Extraordinary Longmen Grottoes

➤ Luoyang - a visit to the Longmen Grottoes and bullet train to Xian:

➤ Itinerary: This morning you will visit the world famous Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO recognised masterpiece of Buddhist rock carving 13 km south of the city of Luoyang. The first carvings were made during the Northern Wei Dynasty around AD500 when Luoyang was the capital. Over a period of 200 years over 100,000 carvings were made from tiny buddhist statues just centimeters high to the 17m high statue of Buddha in the Ancestor Worshipping Temple, the face of which was supposedly modeled on that of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty (who happened to pay for this temple!)

After lunch you will be transferred to the new train station for the bullet train that whisks you in 21st Century style through an ancient agricultural landscape of small villages and fields to China’s Tang Dynasty capital and start of the Silk Road, Xian. Transfer on arrival to your hotel with a free evening to relax or start to explore this vibrant city.

➤ Overnight at the Grand Noble Hotel 5*. A comfortable hotel located close to Xian’s famous City Walls and considered one of the best places to stay in this city.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

 Highlight of today: Ranks of the Terra Cotta Army

➤ Xian - Transfer to your hotel - The Terra Cotta Army, Calligraphy lesson & Xian’s City Walls:

➤ Itinerary: Today you will see one of the highlights of China - the extraordinary ranks of the Terra Cotta Army. Created by China’s first Emperor Qin Shi Huang - the fabled “Yellow Emperor” - to provide an imperial court and, of course, an army for the afterlife. Work began in 246 BC and at its height it is said that 700,000 people worked on the project. At some point however this vast undertaking became lost to time and was only rediscovered in 1974 by a farmer digging a well. Excavations have continued since and the three pits unearthed are thought to contain 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses. Several thousand of the soldiers have been pieced back together and make for a uniquely impressive sight today even without their original paint. The Emperor specifically stated that no two soldiers should look alike and all are life sized.

After lunch it is time for a calligraphy lesson. There is more the the Chinese script than just writing as characters often have stories and deeper meaning attached to them. You will have an opportunity to learn the brush technique and keep the results of your efforts. After this we finish on Xian’s largest construction, the 13.7 km City Walls which are up to 18 meters thick at the base and 12 meters in height. The walls were constructed during the Ming Dynasty from 1370 AD and replaced an even larger wall. It is possible to hire bicycles and ride some sections of the wall (a decision that can be made and paid for locally) and the top of the Wall is perhaps the safest place in China to ride a bicycle!

In the evening a trip to the lavish Tang Dynasty show set in a beautiful theatre. The show itself highlights Chinese culture from this dynasty, considered a golden age in China’s long history. Music,  singing and dance with a traditional orchestra and colourful costumes makes this a visual feast for all ages.

➤ Overnight at the Grand Noble Hotel 5*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

 Highlight of today: Excellent Hanyangling Mausoleum

➤ Xian to Kunming - The Hanyangling Mausoleum and departure by plane to Kunming:

➤ Itinerary: On the way to the airport for your flight to Kunming we will stop at the Hanyangling Mausoleum, the burial place of the Emperor Jing of Han who ruled from 188 BC to 141 BC. The Emperor was responsible for many reforms during his rule and credited with the prosperity that followed. The Mausoleum opened to the public in 2005 and is China’s first underground museum where you can actually walk over the burial pits along glass walkways. Excavations continue and you can often see archaeologists working in the pits. Much less crowded than the Terra Cotta Army, the experience allows you to get up closer to the ancient artifacts. Continue onto the airport for your flight to Kunming with a transfer on arrival to your hotel, free time and overnight.

➤ Overnight at the New Era Hotel 4*. A modern hotel well located in the heart of Kunming making it an ideal option in this pleasant city and a good base from which to explore Yunnan province.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

 Highlight of today: Unique landscape of Stone Forest

➤ Kunming - Full day Tour to the Stone Forest before the overnight train to Lijiang:

➤ Itinerary: After breakfast start a full day tour driving 85km out of the city to the extraordinary Stone Forest. This area of unusual Karst formations covers 2,670 square km and is believed to be 270 million years old. You will see some of the Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone forest, Outer Stone Forest, Underground Stone Forest, Stone Forest Lake, and Da Dieshui Falls. The whole place is like a giant adventure playground! Return back to Kunming with a free evening to relax after today’s exertions.

After the tour a transfer to the station for an overnight train onto Lijiang.

➤ Overnight on board a sleeper train to Lijiang.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

 Highlight of today: Winding alleys of lovely Lijiang

➤ Arrival Lijiang - Transfer to your hotel and a half day orientation tour of the Old City:

➤ Itinerary: Early morning arrival in Lijiang, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage recognised city of cobbled streets and tiled roofs set against the magnificent backdrop of the 5,596m thirteen peaked Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Yunnan province’s top destination. Your guide and driver will be meeting you at the station and transferring you to your hotel set in the heart of the old town.

Time to settle in before a half day orientation tour of the Old City including the fabulous palace of the Mu Clan who ruled over this area for 400 years during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This large complex is a superb example of local Naxi architecture. You will also visit the Black Dragon Pool, a beautiful park containing some traditional buildings and one of the most famous views in China of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - stunning if the weather cooperates! Your guide will return you to your hotel after which you have free time for the rest of the day to further explore the narrow streets of the Old City or relax in the many cafes and restaurants.

➤ Overnight at the Sanhe Hotel 3*. Located in the wonderful old town of Lijiang this traditionally designed hotel will help immerse you in this fascinating city, a highlight of South West China.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

 Highlight of today: Stuuning jade Dragon Mountain

➤ Lijiang - Day trip the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain:

➤ Itinerary: Today you will be heading out of the Old City 15km to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong in Chinese), a 5,596m thirteen peaked massif clearly visible from Lijiang but even more impressive up close. As with almost all rock formations in China there is a good story behind how the mountain came about and needless to say there are dragons, twin mountains and evil spirits involved - your guide will elaborate! You will take a cable car up to a high grassland plateau on the mountain (outside of summer it is possible to rent warm jackets at the cable car station) from where the 13 snow covered peaks tower above you. Descend by cable car from where we continue to Baisha Village, the earliest known settlement of Naxi village and a treasure trove of local architecture. The village is also famous for the 44 Baisha Frescoes drawn during the Ming Dynasty and which embody the artistic styles of the Naxi, Tibetan and Bai minorities. Return to Lijiang late afternoon with free time in the evening.

➤ Overnight at the Sanhe Hotel 3*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

 Highlight of today: Brash and exciting Sichuan Opera

➤ Lijiang to Chengdu - transfer to your hotel and free time:

➤ Itinerary: After breakfast a transfer to the airport for a flight onto your next destination of Chengdu. With a population topping 13 million and growing (the fifth most populous city in China) Chengdu is the capital of mountainous Sichuan province and the place to come and see Giant Pandas. The city does have charm beyond Pandas though. The people are friendly and the food excellent making Chengdu an easy place to spend a few days. Free time this afternoon to explore the area around your hotel, a fascinating district of temples and small shops. We recommend visiting the Wenshu temple which is also a good place to get a nice cup of Chinese tea!

In the evening a trip to the colourful, loud and exciting Sichuan Opera. Not sure if opera is for you? Well Sichuan opera is like no other including it’s cousin - Peking opera. Down here the show combines stunts such as face-changing, Tihuiyan, sword-hiding, fire-spitting and beard-changing with the overall spectacle making this a show for all ages. After the performance you will be transferred back to your hotel.

➤ Overnight at the BuddhaZen hotel 3*. One of our favourite in China this beautiful hotel is built in the Chinese traditional style and has a great location and comfortable rooms.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

 Highlight of today: Learning all about Giant Pandas

➤ Chengdu - Half day trip to Chengdu’s Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding:

➤ Itinerary: This morning we will be visiting the Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding while the pandas are active (which is usually only in the morning). Opened in 1987 the base now has over 60 pandas and is considered the best place in the world to see these endangered icons of China. As well as learning about the pandas themselves and watching such activities as feeding there is also an opportunity to hold a panda cub although note that this is not guaranteed and requires a local payment of approximately RMB 1,000.

NOTE: We can also arrange a full day volunteering at the Centre. This involves helping with the daily duties from preparing the pandas food and cleaning out their quarters! Full clothing is provided as well as a certificate on completion for the day. Ask us for more details.

Return to Chengdu in the afternoon with free time.

➤ Overnight at the BuddhaZen hotel 3*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

 Highlight of today: None - end of trip ;-(

➤ Departure Chengdu and the end of your trip with us:

➤ Itinerary: Your day is free until a transfer to the airport for your flight out of China and sadly the end of this China adventure.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.